(Reuters) - The British Open will return to the historic Old Course at St Andrews in 2021 for what will be the 150th edition of golf’s oldest championship, organizers the R&A announced on Monday.

The championship was last held at the venue in 2015, when American Zach Johnson defeated Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a four-hole playoff to win his second major.

“The championship enjoys a historic and celebrated relationship with the Old Course and we are excited to be marking the occasion of the 150th Championship at the home of golf in 2021,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said.

“Almost every great champion in the game has played on our famous Links and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of golfing greats for the 150th Open,” said Euan Loudon, the chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust.

Carnoustie (2018), Royal Portrush (2019) and Royal St George’s (2020) are scheduled to host the British Open before its return to St Andrews for the 30th time.

The Old Course first hosted the British Open in 1873, with Scotland’s Tom Kidd emerging triumphant.

Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge